I promised I would get away from the Santa Fe today, and I have, sort of. In 1946 the Santa Fe stated taking delivery of ALCO PA-1 “A” and “B” units in red and silver for passenger service. In October of 1948 the 59L arrived on the property, and toiled until December of 1967 when it and three other “A” units sold to the Delaware and Hudson. The D&H created its own version of the classic warbonnet, and used the units to pull their passenger trains between Albany and Montreal. Here we see ex-ATSF #59L, now the D&H #16 on the point of the Laurentian arriving at the Albany-Renssalaer depot in April of 1971, one month before the advent of Amtrak.
A year earlier we see #16 resting between assignments at the D&H’s Colonie Shops north of Albany. Everyone was always friendly here, and we were always allowed to photgraph outside after asking for permission.
Backup for the four PA-1’s came in the form of pairs of ALCO RS-3’s. Here we see #4022 and a sister waiting in front of the Colonie Shops in case they are needed.
After the startup of Amtrak in May of 1971, the PA-1’s became surplus, and were used in Boston commuter service for awhile before being sent to Mexico to toil until retirement on the Ferrocarriles Nacionales Mexicanos (FNM). That would be the end of the story except that dreams and determination have brought the hulks back to the U.S. PA-1 #18 is being restored to operation in a Nickel Plate scheme, while hopes for #16 shown above are that it be cosmetically restored and repainted in Santa Fe warbonnet for display in the Smithsonian.
2 Comments
DANG…those look great Ken, the color looks like it held really good over the years. I dont know which units I like better…that paint scheme just looks great…the RS3’s look somewhat clean or with new paint and look good also…
Ken
After the start of Amtrak the D&H PAs were used in freight service and on passenger specials from 1970 till 1974. In 1974 Amtrak resumed passenger service from Albany to Montreal (the Adirondack)using D&H equipment. The PA were sent to MK in Boise and came back as PA4s with 2400hp Alco 251s installed. They ran in this service till 1977 at which time Amtrak put the Turboliners in Adirondack service making the PAs surplus. It was at that time they were leased to MBTA for about a year. After that they were Mexico bound. Great pics by the way! How about some more old Frisco and Katy? GP7s on 10000 tons trains out of Hugo perhaps?
Scott